For as long as there have been stories, there have been legends. Many of these explain things now covered by science, while others cover the inexplicable for which science cannot account. Even as human knowledge expands, there always seem to be elusive creatures that tread the blurry line between legend and fact, which people swear are real but no one has been able to reliably study. These creatures are likely to remain in the shadows of human understanding.

At least they were, until George Henderson hit one with his car.

Realizing that he just made the find of the century on his way back from a family camping trip, George packs up what he believes to be the corpse of a Sasquatch and takes it home with visions of fame and fortune dancing in the minds of his family, but soon after makes a number of other discoveries: The creature was not dead, only stunned. And far from being the rampaging monster they first fear it is, it appears to be quite gentle and curious, if confused about its current setting.

Now they have a new problem: Keeping it a secret.

Harry and the Hendersons (1987) is a family comedy film starring John Lithgow as George Henderson, against the rather phenomenal special effects by Rick Baker used to bring the friendly Bigfoot to life, for which the movie won an Oscar. It was followed by a live-action series following the adventures of the Hendersons and their pet Bigfoot, billed as "ALF for the 90's".

This movie contains examples of:

Ax-Crazy: During the frenzy while Harry is missing, a customer in the hunting store is desperate to buy a gun in order to defend himself from Harry with (since Harry was spotted three blocks from the man's house). What kind of gun is the customer looking to buy? Either a Magnum, M16 or a fully-automatic gun equipped with a night scope.

Gentle Giant: Harry might be big and strong, but in personality he's like an eight-foot teddy bear. He is also a herbivore, (mostly. He does eat fish) and gets visibly upset when confronted with hunting trophies, furs, and even cooked meat. (George had been a hunter, and worked in a hunting goods store at the beginning of the movie.)

Grand Finale: The series had one where Harry hooks up with a yeti girlfriend, all the major characters pair up, and only the parents remain at home with their youngest son... until a neighborhood girl borrows him as well, leaving the parents to enjoy their Happily Married life in quiet for awhile.

Groin Attack: LaFleur knees Harry in the squishy bits. At first it seems to do nothing but make him mad - but then he drops LaFleur and howls in pain, and then gets really mad. Apparently Sasquatch has nards.

Heel–Face Turn: The hunter Jacques LaFleur at the end, when he realizes that Harry isn't dangerous.

Hidden Depths: George initially seems like your typical manly man hunter, but his interactions with Harry show that he is also quite kind, sensitive, and a highly talented artist.

Masquerade: The Hendersons realize that Harry could be in a lot of danger if people find out about him.

Meaningful Name: Harry didn't come with a name, but Ernest misinterprets his father referring to "our hairy friend" as "our Harry friend" and the name sticks.

Nonhumans Lack Attributes: Played with: Harry's fur is thicker in that particular area and nothing is in immediate evidence, but Sarah Henderson states that she can tell he is male. (Her mother starts to ask how she knows, but has a moment of realization and avoids further inquiry).

Reckless Gun Usage: George is concerned that the Bigfoot-related hype running roughshod through Seattle will lead to many unqualified people arming themselves. Later, he is clearly frustrated by a panicky customer who tries to purchase "anything that goes fully-automatic", the man clearly ignorant of the fact that such a weapon is illegal.

Right Behind Me: Dr. Wrightwood discovers near the end that for someone who is eight feet tall and probably more than 500 pounds, Harry is really, really quiet.

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